Patent GB-190407778-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Machines for Folding Fabrics.
Filed: 1904-04-02
Granted: 1905-02-16
Abstract: 7778. Hattersley & Sons, G., and Chadwick, J. April 2. Folding.-Relates to means for automatically lowering the tables of folding-machines to allow removal of the folded fabrics. When folding is completed, a bar p, Fig. 1, is allowed by the usual means to rise, oscillating the lever p<1>, p<3> and lowering the catchpiece p<4>, Figs. 1 and 2, into the path of a lever p<5>, oscillated by a cam p<6> on a shaft p<7> driven by gearing p<9>, p<8>, &c. The catchpiece p<4> is moved to the left, and moves the collar o<2> and shaft or stoprod o<1> with it, thus transferring the belt from the pulley g<1>to the loose pulley g and so rotating the shaft k through gearing k<1>, k<2>, k<3>. The bevel - wheel h on the shaft k rotates the loose bevels h', h<2> on the shaft m. The piece p<4> also moves the lever q and the rod q<1> coupled to the rod q<2>, which moves a clutch m<1> into gear with the wheel h<1> so that the shaft m is rotated, and, by worm gearing m<2>, n, the clutch n', Fig. 8, and shaft a are driven in a direction opposite to that shown by the arrow 2. The quadrants d are turned, the chains e are lowered, and the sliding pieces f and table are allowed to descend. The ordinary lowering of the table as the fabric collects, rotates the shaft a and clutch n<1> but does not affect the wheel n. When the table has descended to its desired position, a projecting antifriction bowl d<2> on the quadrant d comes into contact with the lever r, forcing the rod t and lever q back and the coupling m midway between the wheels h<1>, h<2>, so that neither is in gear with the shaft m, which stops. Meanwhile a bowl s<1> on a projecting piece s on the table comes in contact with the arm s<2> of the lever s<3> and oscillates the latter, the cam-surfaced end s<4 >thereof raising the catch-piece p<4> out of the path of the levers p<5>, q. The operative, after removing the fabric, moves the rod t in the direction indicated by the arrow x, and the clutch m<1> is thus moved into gear with the wheel h<2> and, through gearing m', n, rotates the wheel n in the direction indicated by the arrow 2, allowing springs c to raise the table as fast as the rate of speed of the wheel permits. In order to arrest or suspend the motions of the wheels k<1>, k<2>, a clutch-coupling u, Fig. 7, is used, having a disc with wedging-pieces u' which press on the sleeve u<3> when moved in one direction and are free when moved in the other direction. The clutch may be moved so that the pieces u' are raised by pins thereon taking into slots in the hoop u<1> clear of the sleeve u<3>. When the belt is shifted from the fast to the loose pulley, the rod o' operates, by means of a cam-piece 27, Fig. 6, a lever 25, turning its outer end past its pivotal centre, when a spring completes its further movement and by means of lever mechanism 23, 24 an eccentric 22 is operated, a brake 20 is applied, and the machine is quickly stopped. To re-start the machine, the rod 24 is moved forward by a handle, projections on the lever 25 acting on the cam-piece 27 and forcing back the rod o'. In a modification, the rod o' is coupled to a lever having a cam-slot operating the brake. A handle and wheels are employed to move the rod o<1> and to put the machine into and out of action.